Flinders University’s driverless shuttle public trial to commence

The State Government will today launch a five-year public trial of Flinders University’s driverless electric shuttle.

The $4 million driverless shuttle project received $1 million from the State Government’s Future Mobility Lab Fund.

“Today we will see the launch of the first on-road trial of an autonomous shuttle in South Australia,” Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said.

“This is an exciting step forward for autonomous vehicle technology in South Australia.

“Approving the exemptions for the Flinders FLEX autonomous vehicle trial was one of the first actions I undertook after taking office as Minister.

“Initially FLEX will shuttle people around the Tonsley campus integrating with the Tonsley rail station, with future plans to extend to the Bedford Park and Flinders Medical Centre campus and local public transport hubs.

“South Australia is ahead of the curve in this space and was the first state to enact legislation to allow on-road trials of autonomous vehicles.

“We have since developed a critical mass of projects that are trialling innovative transport technologies.

“Trials such as this cement South Australia’s position as an ideal location to demonstrate, develop and contribute to the applied research of Future Mobility technologies that provide real benefits to our communities.

“Many existing automobile manufacturers and new companies are expected to have driverless electric car models on the road by 2020, with the world market for autonomous electronic vehicles expected to be worth US $7 billion by 2050.

“South Australia is well placed to capitalise on the significant economic and job opportunities that exist in this sector as this technology continues to advance.

“Future transport mobility creates substantial new business opportunities for innovative products and services.